TGS 2000 Spring Wrap-Up

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See what IGNDC loved, loathed and lusted after in their tell-all comments on this year's show.

By IGN Staff

Now that the dust has settled and the drool has slowed to a crusty clump at the edge of gaming's collective mouth, we thought we'd take a brief look back at this Spring's Tokyo Game Show. First and foremost, let me say that this was, without question, a Sega dominated show from beginning to end. Anyone who tells you any different was either on some sort of hallucinogenic or not at the show. Bottom line.

Not only were we completely under-whelmed with the lack of PlayStation 2's presence at the show, but the number of really good titles under the Dreamcast heading continually surprised us during our three days at the event. It would have been enough to finally see Phantasy Star Online, but to get a gander at MS-R? Get our in-line skate on with the incomparable Jet Set Radio? An extended sit-down with Eternal Arcadia? An extended get-down with Samba de Amigo? It was almost too much.

Sega had an undeniably impressive showing, and between first and third-party showings, Dreamcast is certainly riding a wave of positive prospects that should keep them riding high into this year's Electronic entertainment Expo. Here's a brief break-down of the show's highs and lows, as well as an index of our show coverage. Enjoy!

GAME OF SHOW:Samba de Amigo - Sega. We both agree that this game kicks more ass than should be legal, and I'm already clearing space in front of my Dreamcast for the maraca controllers. With great music selection (ranging from Take on Me to Livin' la Vida Loca) and the wackiest peripherals ever mass-produced, Samba de Amigo is a raw adrenaline rush of syncopated rhythm and movement. Yes, it's that good -- and it's so addicting, I'm required to play it whenever I hear the "attract mode" jingle of the arcade machine. The United States needs this game.

Runner Up: Jet Set Radio - Sega. This game will push systems when it finally hits the home this summer.

MOST EMBARASSING BOOTH: Sony. Without Gran Turismo 2000, the booth featured three mediocre games that were already released (Fantavision, IQ Remix, and Spyro 2), and a great-looking and questionably-playing TVDJ (also known as Be On Edge). Yeah, we know we're biased bastards and all, but even the hard-core Sony fans couldn't get over how lame the PS2 showing was.

Runner Up: The Samba de Amigo area of Sega's booth ¿ I don't care how much fun it is...you still feel kinda silly.

"MILKING IT FOR ALL ITS WORTH" AWARD: Konami. The Beat Mania and Dance Dance Revolution series of games have shattered arcade sales records, and Konami is following the Capcom strategy of releasing a Super Hyper Turbo version of every game... in five different flavors. While Dance Mania is new and innovative (wave your hands over sensors and look like Vanilla Ice), you'll wonder when they're gonna stop cranking out Beat Mania sequels.

Runner Up: Namco for their efforts with Tekken Tag on PS2. *Yawn*

MOST DISTURBING ARCADE GAME: Boong Ga Boong Ga. Introduced to us by the infamous "Pickle," this had to be the most disturbing site in a show filled with "things that make ya go hmmmm." Grab the giant pointing hand and give the interactive butt a good ram all in an attempt to watch the shocked facial expression of your digital victim. Disturbing, indeed.

MOST DISAPPOINTING VMU DOWNLOAD: The Grandia II VMU mini-game. OK, so it wasn't really a game at all ¿ rather, it was a miniature clock that displayed the time, and the face of several characters. It also randomly locks out the sleep and mode buttons on the VMU ¿ nice programming, eh?

COOLEST SHOW SCHWAG: The Eternal Arcadia Demo. Leave it to Sega to make a fanbase that has all but forgotten their once great presence work for every last ounce of appreciation they'd like to have for their games. We waited in line with the masses and got our hands on this awesome demo, which managed to restore a little faith in Sega..well, in there games, anyway.